Gamelan Genta Kasturi

Western audiences have long been fascinated in the Balinese art form of gamelan, which honors tradition while embracing experimentation.

The music’s shimmering sound is instantaneously recognizable, a unique timbre resulting from pairs of detuned instruments after an entire ensemble has gone through an extensive tuning process. As the slightly different frequencies pulse against each other, it creates a beating effect called ombak.

Since 2008, the Charlotte Street Foundation has recognized creative Kansas Citians who, within their various genres, consistently produce original and innovative work that often falls outside the mainstream.

A multimedia performance this weekend called "Angels & Demons at Play" takes its name from a song by Sun Ra, the avant-garde pianist and band leader - and combines live music with Balinese and masked dance, and electronic visual media.

Gamelan is the orchestral tradition of Indonesia and incorporates bronze gongs, metallophones, cymbals, bamboo flutes, fiddles, and drums. The region's first gamelan orchestra, Gamelan Genta Kasturi got its start five years ago and it's based in Kansas City. The group performs traditional and contemporary Balinese music and dance this weekend.